Scan Vol 30 No 3 August 2011
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with its changing pattern and army of monstrous creatures, known
as Grievers, is at the heart of the action packed story. Runners risk
their lives in the maze trying to map it and discover a means of
escape. Thomas is convinced that he has to become a maze runner.
A grim, futuristic tale with a good deal of tense action, this will
appeal to readers who have an interest in bleak, apocalyptic science
fiction. C. Sly
USER LEVEL:
Stage 4 Stage 5
Paper $16.99
SCIS 1479371
BROOKS, Kevin
iBoy
Penguin Books, UK, 2010
ISBN 9780141326108
Based on an intriguing concept, this challenging novel centres on a
boy who has an iPhone embedded in his brain. A freak accident
results in Tom being able to access all aspects of cyberspace,
without the hardware. This suspenseful young adult novel
traverses tough territory including doubtful parentage, drugs and
gangs on a housing estate, violence, rape, and an encounter with a
merciless man. Tom acquires deadly powers that enable him to
track down the boys who raped his friend, and take revenge. At the
same time he is confronted by questions of morality and is
concerned about the effect of his powers on his sense of self. It is a
dark story, tightly plotted and well written, with interludes of
beauty on the tenement rooftops, close to the stars. The characters
are believable and the reader is positioned to suspend disbelief
about the premise. The sensitive issues and contextual strong
language in this book earmark it for a mature readership. M. Davis
USER LEVEL:
Stage 6
$13.95
SCIS 1474590
CARY, Kate
Bloodline
Egmont, UK, 2010
ISBN 9781405254687
An epistolary novel, in the form of
journal entries by four main characters,
this book is written as the sequel to Bram
Stoker’s Dracula. Gothic conventions and
gruesome discoveries abound as John
Shaw becomes convinced, in the trenches
in 1916, that his commanding officer,
Quincey Harker, is monstrous by nature.
At home in England, Shaw is nursed to
health by Mary Seward and they become
engaged. Quincey comes to visit Shaw
and falls deeply in love with Shaw’s sister
Lily, a paragon of virtue who is besotted with the mysterious
stranger. Light on characterisation, but big on suspense, the story
will delight vampire lovers. The narrative builds to a crescendo in
which hidden family connections, links to Dracula’s bloodline, a
deadly plot, and an ill-fated relationship are discovered. Seduction,
temptation and resistance all make an appearance in a story that
honours Gothic conventions with gusto. A video trailer at
<tiny.cc/or1aq> is an enjoyable starting point for discussing inter-
textuality, genre conventions, and the evolving role of the reader as
co-creator. E . Chase
USER LEVEL:
Stage 5 Stage 6
KLA:
English
SYLLABUS:
English 7–10; English Stage 6
Paper $16.95
SCIS 1492470
CHADDA, Sarwat
Dark goddess
Penguin Books Ltd, UK, 2010 (Puffin)
ISBN 9780141325880
In this gripping sequel to Devil’s kiss, 15 year old Billi SanGreal
features as the only female warrior in the Knights Templar, a small
band fighting a secret war against the Unholy in a contemporary
London setting. This is high voltage action, with violence a
necessary part of Billi’s life as she slays monsters and protects society.
Billi must travel to Russia to foil a plot by Baba Yaga, an ancient
Earth goddess, who seeks to destroy humanity. In a race against
time, Billi needs to save the life of a small psychic girl, Vasilisa,
before she is consumed by the dark goddess. Duty and self-sacrifice
are the twin pillars of Billi’s brutal existence, but this feisty hero is
witty, clever and likable. Readers can tune in to the book’s themes
by watching the author talk at <tiny.cc/wcvd6> or visiting his
website at <www.sarwatchadda.com>. Young adults looking for
action, humour, insight and suspense will enjoy this book. It
explores environmental and folktale themes, features a strong
female protagonist, introduces a new romantic hero, and unpacks
the nature of divided loyalties and moral ambiguity. E. Chase
USER LEVEL:
Stage 5
KLA:
English
SYLLABUS:
English 7–10
Paper $16.95
SCIS 1476226
CROWLEY, Cath
Graffiti moon
Pan Macmillan, NSW, 2010
ISBN 9780330425780
With a plot that takes place during the
last night of Year 12, this well crafted
novel unravels snippets of the past and
adventures of the present through the
voices of Lucy, Ed and Leo. Tipped off by
her mentor, a glass blowing expert, Lucy
races to catch sight of Shadow, a
legendary graffiti artist whose art captures her imagination and
touches her heart. Late to meet her friends, Jazz and Daisy, the
threesome eventually embark on a night filled with teasing,
romance, criminal intent, danger and unspoken truths. Narrated
by Lucy, then by Ed, and followed by Leo’s version, which is told
in verse, the reader has access to each character’s feelings and the
reasons for their actions. Many of the complications that arise are
satisfactorily, often humorously, resolved. The importance of being
truthful, especially to oneself, is a strong message in this multilay-
ered text. C. Keane
USER LEVEL:
Stage 6
KLA:
English
SYLLABUS:
English Stage 6
Paper $16.99
SCIS 1471495
FORD, Michael
The poisoned house
Bloomsbury, UK, 2010
ISBN 9781408804506
Presented as a historical document, this is a fascinating 19th
century Gothic drama. Abigail Tamper works as a servant at Greave
Hall where she was raised as a child. Her mother was nurse to the
owner’s young son. Since her mother’s death, Abigail has been
subjected to the unkindness of Mrs Cotton, the sister of the current